Nokia, Intel merge mobile Linux offerings

MWC Intel has tightened its alliance with Nokia by merging its Moblin mobile Linux platform into the Finnish phone giant's built-on-Linux Maemo OS.

The combined platform will be called MeeGo - which will undoubtedly be satirised as 'MeeToo', given its clear intention to fight the rise of Android and iPhone.

The two companies said MeeGo will "support multiple hardware architectures across the broadest range of device segment". So expect to see it not only in Nokia's high-end smartphones, but also netbooks, tellies, in-car entertainment systems and flavour of the month, the tablet.

Intel handed Moblin over to the Linux Foundation after doing the initial development work, and MeeGo will likewise become an LF property.

The agreement follows on from the two giants' partnership, announced in June 2009, designed to bring their mobile technology plans into alignment.

At the time, Nokia and Intel said they would "develop common technologies for use in the Moblin and Maemo platform projects", and they have clearly since discovered that this can best be served by bringing Moblin and Maemo together.

The result will be a common platform, independently managed, that - the two principals hope - will encourage developers to code apps for it, if not instead of working on Android and/or iPhone then at least in addition to those two popular platforms.

Intel will distribute such software through its Atom-oriented store, while Nokia will punt versions for its devices through Ovi.

The first release of MeeGo is expected in Q2, Intel and Nokia said, with devices launching later in the year. ®